Public gardens and lawns on the ETH campus

Project type: open competition
Commissioned by: UFO architecten, ETH Zurich
Location: Campus of ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Date: 2008

This design is a reference to the classic concept of a university campus: a large lawn amidst de various university buildings. Where the buildings touch the lawn, public functions have been assigned on the ground floor. Encounters between inhabitants and other users of the campus can easily take place here. These spots are paved with dark natural stone and feature fixed and mobile furniture.

afbeeling 2

Paths paved with red asphalt cross the slightly inclined campus, making possible short diagonal connections. The paths connect the various neighbouring buildings with the rest of the campus. They are accessible for pedestrians and bikes. The lawn itself lies some 40 centimetres above the paths and is confined with prefabricated concrete elements that invite passer bys to sit down and generate casual social contacts.

afbeelding 3

There are a number of exceptions within the polygonal surfaces of the lawn. Instead of grass there is lush planting. Bushes and flowering trees constitute a colourful garden within the campus landscape. De flowering gardens continue within the buildings as green spaces on the upper floors. These spaces enhance the transparency of the buildings and serve as private outside space of the inhabitants.

The design and the use of materials for this landscape enable little and mainly machine maintenance in all seasons. Intensive maintenance is only necessary in the public flower gardens en the private gardens within the buildings. Especially the latter are highly suitable for maintenance in collaboration with the inhabitants.